Does this sound like chiari?

[Caitie23]

Hi I'm new and I've been doing a lot of research on CM lately and I'm starting to think it perfectly describes my symptoms. First, I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find a definite answer for.. If someone doesn't mind answering :)

Can CF pain happen sporadically and only occasionally? (as opposed to chronic and always there) my neck does constantly feel stiff and a little sore but the horrible nightmarish pains happen only about once a month or 2 (but have increased in frequency lately)

Is it something that could be easily missed of overlooked on an MRI? I've had one done in 2007 and they said it was fine except for some fluid in-between T3-T4 (but that's not where my pain is so they ignored it). Could it be something that might show up now, 4 years later?

I've read on medical websites that it's inherited but I've seen on forums people reporting CM after an accident. I sustained trauma when I fell backwards on a concrete floor after passing out in 2004 or 2005. Could it take that long for CM symptoms to appear?

My story is this.. I started with a neck twitch (involuntary head turn to the left, so bad that it actually looked like I was shaking my head no) then it quickly turned into neck pain. After being bounced around from dr to dr I ended up at a neurologist who said it was stress related. Now, I certain do believe I have stress in my life and it doesn't help whatever condition I have but I am not content with that as the sole diagnosis. With meds and physical therapy the twitching has almost vanished (I can still sense minuscule twitching rarely but it's not visible as it used to be). My pain is localized to the left side of my neck deep in a certain area. It's where the base of my skull meets my neck or perhaps just below that point. That certain area pretty much never feels right and when it hurts it hurts baddd. The worst is when the pain starts there, extends down my neck to near my shoulder, and then radiates up to my forehead. Then it's throbbing and all I want to do is lie down in a dark room and cry but I can't cry bc that would hurt more. I can't keep my balance and can hardly keep my eyes open. Sleep doesnt help it. Sometimes it makes me so nauseous i want to vomit, but i know it will hurt if i do. The only think that helps is skelaxin and a high dose of advil. After the episode it's hard for me to even believe I experienced such pain, its almost like I can't remember it.

I'm going to set up an appt with my neurologist soon. (I haven't been in a few years and it's getting worse again) And I wanted to get as much CF info as I could to present to him, if you guys think it sounds worth mentioning. He seems pretty stuck on this being stress related so I feel like I'm the one who needs to point him to the right diagnosis.

Thanks! :)

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I hope ur typos r the CF's and that u meant CM...otherwise my reply may be off base.

Chiari symptoms can and do cycle.Many times chiari is miss dx'd as it is either overlooked or the drs felt it was an insignificant finding so they do not inform the patient of the full results.

Since u had a MRI done a while ago, I would suggest u request copies of the old MRI from the facility that did the studies, and also ask for a copy of the report, going forward ask for copies of all tests, and CD's of MRI's.

Not too many NL, or NS for that matter believe that CM will cause symptoms....so, go know as much as u can, but unless u know this dr, and know that he understands and believes u have chiari u just may make an enemy if u bring it all up...wait and see what he says and what the MRI's and the reports revel,.

  If they say u have (the MRI's) that u do in fact have Chiari...find a true chiari specialist to help guide u.

     "selma"

[Caitie23]

I noticed a few typos. Sorry about that!